Hundreds allowed to gather for Manchester funeral of ‘Mr Ibiza’ where gunman opened fire

POLICE allowed hundreds to attend the funeral of a Manchester’s ‘Mr Ibiza’ because they feared closing it down would endanger public safety.

They said ’emotions of those at the gathering were high’, after arresting a 34-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly fired three shots in the cemetery where well-wishers flouted social distancing rules.

Mourners had gathered for the burial of 38-year-old Clive Pinnock, dubbed Mr Ibiza godfather, at Gorton Cemetery in the east of the city.

When asked why such a large group had been allowed to gather during a press briefing, Superintendent Rebecca Boyce from Greater Manchester Police said officers had spoken with the deceased’s family in the run up to the funeral.

She said a “careful assessment was then made about the policing approach to any gatherings associated with the funeral. Our overriding priority was to ensure that the wider public were kept safe”.

Police continued to closely monitor the situation and “as it progressed it was clear that the emotions of those at the gathering were high and therefore a decision was made, in the interests of public safety, not to intervene unless the wider public were put at risk by the groups”.